John Brown's women's basketball team is going into the Christmas break with momentum on its side.
The newly No. 20-ranked Golden Eagles won their third straight game Thursday night with a 96-42 blowout of Ecclesia at Bill George Arena in their final game of the fall semester.
The Golden Eagles improved to 9-4 overall and recorded their third straight game with 96 points or more.
JBU head coach Jeff Soderquist said the Golden Eagles have put themselves in a good position heading into the break and hopes they can sustain the momentum next semester.
"Knowing that we had such a hard schedule going into this semester, our goal was to put ourselves in position for the second semester to make a run, and that's what we've done," Soderquist said.
In the process, JBU has also established an identity as the nation's top 3-point shooting team.
The Golden Eagles rank first in NAIA Division I with 146 made 3-pointers in 13 games, 27 more than second place Lewis-Clark State (Idaho), an average of 11.2 treys a game and a 3-point shooting percentage of 44.8 percent.
"A lot of the coaches that have played us have commented that we're just so different and so hard to guard, especially with the way our post players can step out and hit 3s," Soderquist said. "People are used to post players banging on the block and we move and our post players are popping out and all that. Yeah, I think it is an advantage of how we play. If we can keep shooting the way we are I like our chances."
The Golden Eagles have got some work to do in the areas of rebounding and on defense, Soderquist said.
"I think we're going to have to become a better rebounding and defensive team, especially on those nights where we might not quite be as on (shooting)," Soderquist said. "We've got to do a good job on that."
JBU didn't have its best shooting performance against Ecclesia on Thursday night, though you'd never know it by the final score or the way JBU started each half.
The Golden Eagles hit their first six shots from the field in building a 14-0 lead.
Jana Schammel opened the game with an easy layup, and after an Ecclesia turnover, Schammel connected on a 3-pointer for a 5-0 lead.
Preslea Reece had a steal and score and Schammel followed with another steal and score as the Golden Eagles forced the Royals to three turnovers on their first three possessions.
Kodee Powell knocked down a 3-pointer for a 12-0 lead, and Baily Cameron scored inside to complete the run.
Ecclesia (4-4) responded through. The Royals went on an 18-8 run of their own to pull within 22-18 late in the first quarter after a 3-pointer by Greenwood native Mikayla Roberts bounced in.
"Give (Ecclesia) credit, they hit some shots in that run and we missed some shots," Soderquist said.
JBU scored the last five points of the quarter to go up 27-18 after the first period. The Golden Eagles then outscored the Royals 26-9 in the second quarter. Kimmy Deines and Courtney Fine each hit 3-pointers in the second quarter and Powell knocked down two treys at the end of the period as JBU led 53-27 at halftime.
The Golden Eagles outscored the Royals 27-2 in the third quarter. Depth played a factor in the fourth quarter as Ecclesia, which only had six players on its roster, finished the final 7 minutes, 8 seconds of the game with four players after two fouled out in the fourth quarter.
Jana Schammel led JBU with 14 points, while Baily Cameron had 13, Kodee Powell 12 on four 3-pointers and Rosa Orpo 11.
After the 6 of 6 start, JBU finished 35 of 73 from the field overall and 10 of 32 from behind the 3-point line.
Roberts led Ecclesia with 16, while Mrya Eatmon had 14.
It was the second time JBU has beaten Ecclesia this season after winning 110-37 on Nov. 7.
JBU won't play again until Jan. 5 when it returns to Sooner Athletic Conference play at home against Southwestern Christian. The Golden Eagles are 1-1 in SAC play after losing to Oklahoma City 75-62 on Dec. 1 and winning at St. Gregory's 97-55 on Dec. 3.
"When we go on break, they've got to stay in shape, they've got to get some shots off and keep that edge," Soderquist said. "It's good for a break too. You need to get refreshed. We didn't have a Thanksgiving break, so it's not bad to have a little bit of a break. What we've got to do though is make sure we keep up what we're doing with our muscles and cardio and keep a ball in our hand and shooting so that when we come back we're not sore and used to playing."
John Brown 96, Ecclesia 42
Ecclesia^18^9^2^13^--^42
John Brown^27^26^27^16^--96
Ecclesia (4-4): Roberts 16, Eatmon 14, Moore 6, Gresham 3, Winston 2, McGraw 1.
John Brown (9-4): Schammel 14, Cameron 13, Powell 12, Orpo 11, Fine 8, Teague 8, Reece 7, Deines 7, Martin 7, Skrastina 4, Pelegreen 3, Roh 2.
Sports on 12/11/2016